Movies, DVD's, anime, and so forth...

[Jammrock]

Geekings and sillytations, hunams! I don't think we have had a thread like this in a while, so I decided to put one up. Got some groovy news and reviews for anyone who cares.

Black Hawk Down - movie - Saw this last night. It is very, very, very awesome! Think Gladiator with lots and lots of guns. Okay, so it's more than that, but it's Ridley Scott doing an action/war movie again. My friend, who has Jane's Aircraft Encyclopedia memorized, vouched that the movie was at least accurate in the vehicle department, except for the small gun helicopters, which are the civilian version. The action is perfectly paced. You're never overloaded and never catching yourself fall asleep. The acting is top notch, even the Brits doing American accents (although Jason Issac's Texas accent gets slurred a bit at times). This is a MUST SEE for any war/action/adventure movie goer. Be forwarned though...this is a war movie, and there are some very big gross out moments.

Brotherhood of the Wolf - movie - DAMN YOU HOLLYWOOD!!! This movie still isn't showing in my area. I keep hearing all these cool reviews about it... *sigh*. If someone has seen it, can you post your thought on it. This is #1 on my list of movies I want to see and haven't.

Metropolis - movie/anime - http://www.spe.sony.com/cthv/metropolis/ Once again Hollywood has shafted me on this one, too. This is another movie I hear is absolutely cool, but not going to show in my area any time soon (if at all). The list of cities it's playing in is in the Communciation link on the site.

Vandread - anime - As a few other anime buffs can vouch for, this is a fun and exciting series. The first DVD hits shelves today! I don't want to give any plot points away, but the premiss is hilarious! The animation is top notch too.

Berserk - anime - The US DVD release starts on 30 Arpil, but I have to mention it. This is my all time favorite anime! I can't wait!!!

Gasaraki - anime - This is a break away from traditional anime. It's more of a political thriller than anything. There is a good chunk of action in there, but this show is designed to mess with your head and sense of modern culture. The last DVD hits next Tuesday.

Bukaroo Bonzai: Across the Eigth Dimension - DVD/Movie - ...what to say, what to say... Cheesey 80's sci-fi movie. That about sums it up...but it's still funny...in a wierd, bukaroo sort of way...yeah.

That just about sums it up for today. If I think of anything else, I'll add it later. Hopefully next week I can add Kung Pow: Enter the Fist and the Count of Monte Cristo on the list.

Jammrock

[RichL]

You forgot M*A*S*H*, probably the funniest war movie ever made.
Released on region 1 DVD last week, and winging its way to me over here in the yUK thanks to the miracle of the internet and online DVD resellers.

[GT98]

I agree that Blackhawk Down was a pretty damn good movie...it didn't come across as preachy or flag waving. I enjoyed it very much and could appreate it also since I was at the start of Basic training when all this went down in 1993.

I've read a couple reviews of this movie from the Critics...and some of them I want to beat the living crap out of them since they have no idea what it means to be in combat (I don't either though I came pretty close to it while serving in Bosina) and what it really means to be in it...its not about the mission its about the people your with and getting them and yourself out alive.

In compairson to other recent war movies...well Saving Private Ryan still has the most intense combat I've seen in a movie..I know when I came out of that movie I was drained! maybe because I knew the background of BHD and I knew what to expect well it didnt make it as intense or I'm just getting jaded.

Scott

[dZeus]

Battle Royale - movie, watch it if you've got a good stumoch, and not with your children around!

Versus - movie, haven't seen it yet, but it's the same style like Battle Royale, but even 'more' in that aspect

[KvHagedorn]

Saving Private Ryan still has the most intense combat I've seen in a movie..

It's close between this one and Pearl Harbor. The latter was originally panned pretty unjustly in my opinion. Seeing the "making of" feature on the DVD was an eye-opener.. this was a huge, huge project. The cast members had to endure basic training with real drill sergeants and everything. The whole cast and crew made such an effort at research and preparation that I think they went into production with a profound respect for the military and the heroes they were portraying (whether real or partially real) which may have been seen as a little cheesy in the minds of flabby modern critics. After September 11 though, people have taken on a new mindset. The DVD was a huge seller and rightfully so. The attack sequence is an awesome experience.. 45 minutes of very realistic battle there. The sound is absolutely first rate, too. I don't even mind the cheesy love story.. heck, what fool wouldn't want to look at Kate Beckinsale for 3 hours?

[Jammrock]

My problem with Pearl Harbor was the nasty, cheesy love story/triangle. It's a phr34king war movie!!! Leave the love story for the chick flicks! I don't mind a love story that is simple in a war movie, but a massive love triangle that makes you want to shoot yourself in the middle of the film is just unacceptable.

Speaking of chick flicks, I found this on ESPN.com of all places:

Five disturbing phenomenons about the chick flick:

Every chick flick has a scene where either A) a male baby pees on somebody, B) there's a wedding, and/or C) there's an unredeeming male character who lets somebody down. This is apparently a rule. If you can work all three of those scenes in the same movie, the director apparently gets a $50,000 bonus.

Whenever I see a chick flick, there's always a moment when I accidentally make eye contact with another boyfriend or spouse at the theater and we quickly glance away. It's like seeing somebody in the adult section of a video store -- you're just hoping nobody will recognize you and things will move along as quickly as possible.

I'll sum up the storyline from every chick flick: "Men suck."

There's always a specific threesome sitting somewhere in the theater during every chick flick -- one girl sitting between two guys. Why two? I have no idea. Usually, they seem like platonic friends, the girl isn't very attractive, at least one of the guys looks like Tim Burton, and the guys overlaugh at every joke in the movie, to the point that you start rooting for one of them to choke to death on a Sour Patch Kid. Again, I'm not sure what's going on here.

Every time you block out the fact that you're watching a chick flick, something funny happens and everyone in the theater starts laughing, a high-pitched cacophony of giggles that reminds you, "Hey, I'm at a chick flick." That's usually when I start bludgeoning myself over the head with my 128-ounce Mountain Dew.

Anyway, on a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give "Riding Cars with Boys" a minus -13. Let's forget this section ever happened ... and if you're attending any showings of "Serendipity" in the Boston area over the next few weeks and see someone who looks like me, please don't make eye contact with that person. For everyone's sake.


Jammrock

[Kaj]

VanDread is good!! And I mean good!
The first half of episode 1 may be a bit puzzling, but it's a great story. I'm allmost at the end of the second season now; one ep to go. Definately one to buy.

[Bohrn]

I havent seen BHD yet, but I will. I hope it's not too disturbing.

Other good war movies, Apocalypse Now, I got the dvd for xmas. Enemy at the gates had it's cool moments, but it also had its "hollywood fluff" moments. It was pretty cool tho I also really liked Proof Of Life. Not really a "war" movie, but there are some parts that are pretty military. I also wanna see that one where Owen Wilson is a F-14B rear and has to eject and make it home. Speaking of Gene Hackman, Bat21 is pretty cool too

A movie that was excellent, but VERY disturbing is called Saviour. It has Dennis Quaid in it. A very harsh, nasty movie, but very well done. I had serious problems with it for a few weeks. Don't see it if you are sensitive. It is done by what's his name? The serious, no punches pulled guy? Dang,forgot his name, sorry

I hear that Tigerland is good also, but I have not seen it yet. Anyone?

and of course Platoon, who could forget. Jeez, there are alot of em eh?

[Gurm]

And let's not forget The Two Towers... and The Return of the King. Oh, wait - those aren't out yet. Damn my forgetfulness, can't tell the difference between books and movies any more.

- Gurm

[Dilitante1]

OK,OK, I get the point

there is a lot of good stuff to see out there......how about suggestions for where to get this on DVD/VHS? I am looking for the tv series Millenium that the maker of X-files wrote not long ago. Any ideas, as I missed the last season


-Dil

[Bohrn]

yea, I liked that one too, but lost track of it in the last season as well. Oh well, if ya find it (or better yet, they put in on Space channel or something) gimme a shout would ya?

[Fat Tone]

I saw Training Day on advance preview last night. Good gritty cop thriller with no real happy ending. Denzel Washington & Ethan Hawke. What d'you guys think to it?

T.

[KvHagedorn]

Just about any in-print DVD title can be found at http://www.dvdplanet.com/ , dil.

[Dilitante1]

thank you much KvH

-pickle

[RichL]

And for those of us on this side of the pond,
Multiregion DVD Price Check is a site I found recently, and Play 247 seem to be one of the cheapest. Free shipping too!